October 2026

🎨 Welcome to the October edition of the Painting With Yvette Gazette!

October might be my favorite month to paint. The light gets softer, the colors get moodier, and there's a little bit of magic in the air.
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This month's Gazette is all about the stories we tell about ourselves as artists, and the ones other people tell about us. You'll find a Myth Buster on Georgia O'Keeffe that I think will surprise you, the story of a student who found her way back to painting after years away, and two new YSApaint palettes with a spooky little twist.
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I'm also hosting my very first evening Paint Party this month inside the Academy! All the details are right below.
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So grab something warm to drink, and let's dive in.

📌 Upcoming Lives in the Academy

Just a reminder that my Lives are now only available inside the Painting with Yvette Academy. There's still time to join and be part of this month's live sessions, including my very first Evening Paint Party! Here's the schedule:

Loosening Up & Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
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Monday, October 12 · 9am CT

Tips and exercises for loosening up your style and becoming a more confident painter.

Messy After Dark: Ghostly Paint Party!

Friday, October 30 · 6pm CT

Our first ever live Paint Night in the Academy! Be sure to RSVP and check the supplies list before you hop on.

Join the Academy→

Myth Busters

Georgia O'Keeffe: Don't Judge the Book by Its Cover

Think about the last time you picked up a book. Before you read a single word, you probably noticed the cover. The colors. The imagery. The title. Maybe even the font. And before you ever opened the book, you probably made a few assumptions about what was inside.

We do the exact same thing with art. And Georgia O'Keeffe is a perfect example.

THE MYTH: Georgia O'Keeffe painted flowers as symbols of female sexuality.
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For decades, critics interpreted her enormous, close-up flowers as representations of female anatomy. Her paintings were repeatedly analyzed through a sexual lens, and that interpretation became so attached to her work that it almost became part of her identity as an artist.

But here's the interesting part: O'Keeffe repeatedly disagreed.

She explained that she enlarged flowers because people simply weren't taking the time to really look at them. Her thinking was surprisingly practical: flowers are small. If she painted them small, nobody would notice them. So she made them enormous. She wanted people to stop. To look. To actually see.

The National Gallery of Art notes that O'Keeffe repeatedly denied that her flowers were intended as sexual metaphors, while also acknowledging that viewers inevitably bring their own associations to what they see. And O'Keeffe herself put it beautifully: when people looked at her flowers, she felt they were placing their own associations onto her paintings rather than seeing what she actually saw.

SO WHAT'S REALLY INSIDE THE BOOK?

That's the fascinating part. O'Keeffe wasn't simply "the flower painter."

She painted flowers, yes, but she also painted bones, landscapes, buildings, New York skyscrapers, mountains, doors, clouds, and abstract forms. In fact, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum describes her work as spanning everything from abstraction to skyscrapers and flowers.

The flower was one chapter. It wasn't the whole book. And that's where this becomes relevant to us as artists.

THE ARTIST LESSON

Sometimes people will look at one thing you create and decide they know who you are as an artist.

"You're the flower artist."
"You're the abstract artist."
"You're the landscape artist."
"You paint cute things."
"You're a watercolor artist."

And suddenly, the cover of the book becomes the entire story. But your artistic journey can be much bigger than the thing people recognize first. Georgia O'Keeffe spent years pushing beyond the assumptions people had placed on her. Her flowers may have been the cover everyone remembered, but there were many, many more pages inside.

So here's your reminder: Don't let other people write your entire book based on the cover. And don't be afraid to turn the page.

MYTH BUSTED: Your art is yours.

People are allowed to interpret it. But you don't have to let their interpretation define you.

Student Spotlight: Wan Yee Chong, Australia

I loved drawing and painting as a child and all through my school years. After I got married, life changed, and art gradually became something I put aside. Years later, after going through some difficult experiences, I came back to painting. It's helped me reconnect with a part of myself I'd lost touch with, and I've fallen in love with creating all over again.

I first bought Yvette's course about three years ago, simply because I thought her paintings were beautiful. Personal circumstances kept me from studying seriously at first, but once I started, I painted whenever I had some free time. I painted more and more, and eventually my drawers were filled with little paintings!

I honestly can't choose one favourite course. Each one has taught me something new and encouraged me to experiment, play, and step outside my comfort zone. It's the combination of everything I've learned from Yvette that has shaped my artistic journey the most.
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Once my drawers were full, I decided I didn't want my paintings to just sit there, so in July 2025 I started sharing and selling them. I usually create small, miniature pieces, and I've shared them on Facebook and displayed them at my restaurant. Seeing my little paintings find homes has given me even more motivation to keep creating.

One of my proudest achievements is simply seeing people choose to buy my work. I often look at my paintings and think, "Is this really good enough? Is it even beautiful?" So when someone sees something special in my work and wants to take it home, it means a lot to me.

Right now, I'm challenging myself to create a collection of 100 floral paintings, and I'm enjoying watching my ideas, colours, and style develop as I go.

Painting has become such a big part of my life that when I don't paint during the day, I feel like something is missing. I love picking up my brushes, playing with colours, and seeing where the painting takes me. I'm so grateful I've found my love for painting again.

A Note from Yvette:

Wan Yee's story is one I know so many artists, including myself, can relate to. Sometimes life changes, priorities shift, and our creativity gets put on the shelf for a while. And that's okay. The beautiful thing about art is that it's always there waiting for us when we're ready to come back, and Wan Yee has done just that, rediscovering her love of painting and allowing it to bring joy and purpose back into her life.

I'm so proud of the achievements she's already made, especially as she continues to work through that familiar artist self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

Wan Yee, keep painting, keep challenging yourself, and remember that your art doesn't need to look like anyone else's to be worthy of being loved. Your challenge of 100 floral paintings is going to build confidence with every brushstroke, and I'll be cheering you on every step of the way. I'm so honored to have you in the Academy, and even more honored to share your story. Keep climbing, you're closer to that peak than you think! ❤️

YVETTE’S CREATIVE CHRONICLE
The Art of Evolution

My retreat is only a few weeks away, and I honestly cannot wait. I’m so excited to get back together with my returning retreaters and to welcome those joining us for the very first time. There is something incredibly special about gathering in person with other artists, sharing ideas, painting together, laughing, troubleshooting, encouraging one another, and simply being in the same room with people who get it.

Over the years, I’ve watched these retreats become so much more than painting events. We’re building a community. A safe, supportive, creative community where artists can show up as they are, share their struggles and successes, and cheer each other on. And I think that is more important than ever.

There is so much negativity floating around social media. Comparison. Competition. Jealousy. Criticism. The constant feeling that someone else is doing more, selling more, creating better work, or getting opportunities that you wish were yours. I want to change that stigma.

I want Painting with Yvette Academy and our retreats to be places where artists support other artists. Where someone else's success doesn't diminish yours. Where we can celebrate another artist's win and think, “If they can do it, maybe I can, too.”

Not everyone can attend a retreat, and I completely understand that. But the artists who have been able to join us often tell me it has been a life-changing experience and many of them come back again and again. That's because connection matters. Support matters. Community matters.

And I can't wait to share some of that magic with you in the November Chronicle when I post photos and updates from this retreat happening in a few weeks. But as I prepare for another retreat, I've also been thinking a lot about something else: Evolution.

WE ARE NEVER FINISHED BECOMING

This year has been a HUGE year of change for me and for all of my brands. I've been in what I can only describe as a rebrand and evolution stage with my paints, my Academy, my business, and honestly, with myself as a creative entrepreneur. And sometimes I look around and think, Wow. Look how far I've come.

But here's what I want you to understand: I am not where I ultimately want to be.

And I'm not going to get there overnight. Building a brand takes time. Building an art business takes time. Building a creative career takes time.

And sometimes it takes years of trying something, learning from it, changing direction, trying again, and being willing to admit that something that worked yesterday might not be what works tomorrow. Just look at my own journey.

What began with two students on Patreon eventually moved to Skillshare, where I reached a couple hundred students. Then came Painting with Yvette. Then Let's Get Artsy. And now, six years into this particular social and education journey, I'm back with Painting with Yvette Academy.

But really, the story began almost a decade ago. That's nearly ten years of experimenting, learning, rebuilding, rebranding, changing, growing, and figuring things out as I went. And who knows where I'll be ten years from now? I certainly don't. And I think that's the exciting part.

FROM LITTLE MINNOW TO OPEN WATERS

I sometimes think of my business like a little minnow in a pond. You start small. You don't know exactly where you're going. You're figuring out how to swim. You make mistakes. You learn. You grow. And eventually, you realize the pond you've been swimming in isn't big enough anymore.

So you jump into open water. That's what evolution feels like.

My paint business has been going through that same process. Our branding is changing. Our customer base is changing. Our volume is changing. We're learning what works and what doesn't. And we're still a small business. That's important for me to say because sometimes people look at the brands I've built and assume there must have been a master plan sitting in a drawer somewhere. There wasn't.

Nobody handed me a manual. There was no “How to Build a Successful Creative Business” handbook waiting for me.

I jumped in. I learned. I made mistakes. I listened. I changed. And I kept going.

THE POWER OF BEING OPEN

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that you don't have to know everything. In fact, you shouldn't expect yourself to. I've surrounded myself with a team of people who bring ideas, experience, perspectives, and creativity to the table. We collaborate. We discuss. We challenge ideas. We figure things out together. It's not a dictatorship. It's a creative process.

And just like I want my students to be open to experimenting with their artwork, I have to be willing to experiment with my business. That's what being an entrepreneur, and especially a creative entrepreneur is all about.

You have to remain open.

Open to new ideas. Open to learning. Open to changing your mind. Open to thinking outside the box. Open to the possibility that there might be a better way. Because the world doesn't sit still. Trends change. Technology changes. Customers change. The way we do business changes.

And as artists, we can sometimes get stuck because we're so attached to the way we've always done things.

But adaptability is a superpower. Versatility is a superpower. And being willing to evolve doesn't mean you weren't doing it right before. It means you're growing.

I STARTED AS THE DREAMER, TOO

Sometimes you may look at my life now and see the artist, the licensed art career, the Academy, the paint company, the products, the retreats, and all the things I've built over the years. But I want you to remember that I started somewhere, too.

I was a dreamer. I was working in real estate development, dreaming about breaking out of the corporate world and finding my way into a creative life. And when I finally did, I didn't suddenly have all the answers. I was figuring it out as I went. There were moments when I felt incredibly alone in that creative world. I didn't have a roadmap. I didn't have someone handing me the next ten steps. I simply kept moving.

One idea. One painting. One opportunity. One mistake. One lesson. One step at a time.

And look where that little dream has taken me.

YOUR STORY IS JUST BEGINNING

So if you're sitting there thinking you're too small, too new, too inexperienced, or too far behind, I want you to remember something:

We all start somewhere. Every artist you admire started before they were known. Every successful business started smaller than it is today. Every brand had a first customer. Every artist had a first painting. Every dream had a beginning.

You might feel like a little minnow swimming around in a very big pond right now. That's okay. Keep swimming. Keep learning. Keep experimenting. Keep surrounding yourself with people who lift you up instead of people who make you question whether you belong.

And most importantly, stay open to evolution.

Because the version of you who starts the journey isn't supposed to be the same person who finishes it. I'm certainly not. And I can't wait to see where the next ten years take me. More importantly, I can't wait to see where they take you. If a girl dreaming of escaping real estate development and building a creative life can do it, there's no telling what your little dream can become.

Start small. Stay curious. Keep evolving. The open water is waiting.

A LOUIS AWARD MOMENT

The Phone Call I Never Expected

Every once in a while, something happens in your career that makes you stop and think, “Wait… did that really just happen?”

That was me a few weeks ago. I jumped on a Zoom call with my art director and agent at Wild Apple, and she was practically throwing a party through the screen. She had just received a call from Legacy Publishing, the company I collaborated with on one of my greeting card designs, and she had some pretty incredible news:

We won a Louie Award.

My artwork won in the Sympathy & Grief category. And honestly? I was shocked.

I knew the piece had been recognized as a finalist, but I don't think I fully understood just how prestigious the Louie Awards are within the greeting card industry.
The Louie Awards, presented by the Greeting Card Association, have been recognizing excellence in greeting cards for more than 35 years and are considered the pinnacle of creativity and craftsmanship in the industry. In the most recent completed competition, 931 cards were entered by 213 companies across 53 categories, with a panel of 74 industry professionals judging the work.

So when you realize your artwork was selected as the winner in its category among that level of competition…

Well, it's a little surreal. And here's the funny part: after nearly 25 years of licensing my artwork, I'm still discovering things about this industry that I didn't know existed! I think that's an important part of the story. Sometimes we look at artists who have been working professionally for years and assume they must know everything. I certainly don't.

I'm still learning. I'm still discovering new opportunities. I'm still surprised by where my artwork can go. And this particular piece found its way into a beautiful collaboration with Legacy Publishing, was brought to life as a greeting card, became a finalist, and then somehow ended up with a Louie Award attached to it.

I'm incredibly honored. Not because an award means I've “made it”, but because it is such a meaningful recognition of the artwork and of the incredible collaboration behind it. I'm so grateful to my team at Wild Apple, to Legacy Publishing, and to everyone who played a part in bringing this piece into the world. And I'm still having one of those moments where I look at it and think…

Wait. My artwork won a Louie Award?

Yep. Apparently it did. And I'm pretty darn grateful. ❤️

September Challenge Creations

Last month, our artists took on the Desert Botanical challenge, and wow, did they deliver. Sun-warmed cacti, potted succulents, and blooms bursting in every color story you can imagine. No two paintings are alike, and that's exactly the point.

A brand new challenge is waiting inside the Academy every month, and I love watching everyone put their own spin on it. If you'd like to join in next time, I can't wait to see what you create.

October Looks a Little Different at YSApaint 🎃

We're switching things up at YSApaint for October! Instead of our usual monthly challenges, we're bringing you something a little different: inspirational mini palettes designed to spark your creativity and give your seasonal painting a fresh new twist.

For the month of October, you can choose from two five-color mini bundles at 15% off, each one created around an unconventional fall or Halloween-inspired color story.

Think beyond the traditional orange, black, and purple. These palettes are all about unexpected color combinations, moody vibes, and a little artistic magic. Whether you're feeling the soft, atmospheric beauty of October Dusk or leaning into the dramatic, mysterious mood of Romantic Goth, there's a palette waiting to inspire your next painting. And honestly... we want to know:

Which October vibe are YOU? 🌙 October Dusk or 🖤 Romantic Goth?

Check out the inspirations below, then head over to the YSApaint website to shop your favorite five-color mini bundle for 15% off. Choose one... or, because choosing is hard, grab both!

Shop October Dusk→

 Shop Romantic Goth →

We can't wait to see what you create with these unexpected little color stories.
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Happy painting, happy haunting, and most importantly... Happy Paintoween! 🎨👻

Thank you for being here and for painting alongside me. I can't wait to see what you create this month.
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With paintbrushes and love,
Yvette